COLUMBUS — A Martins Ferry man who has dedicated a half century to the sport of wrestling is heading to the hall of fame – one more time.

Lifelong wrestling advocate Larry Deaton has been chosen for enshrinement into the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Embassy Suites in Dublin.

In addition to Deaton, the 2016 class includes Chuck Angello, Andy DiSabato, Gary Sorace, Dick Bliss, Jeff Gaier, Jim Speelman, Jim Sedlick and Steve Reedy.

Deaton, age 71, has been involved in the wrestling world for some 50 years in all types of mat capacities, serving as a grappler, coach and official.

“I am fortunate enough to be in a few Hall of Fames already, but this is another great honor,” Deaton said. “Wrestling has been a big part of my life. I always loved doing the big matches.

“If there was a big match between schools, I wanted it,” he added. “I also loved officiating matches between great wrestlers. The (Tim) Moxley and (Charlie) Keenan OVAC finals match was one of the most memorable.”

Deaton enjoyed a banner mat career at Martins Ferry High. He placed in the OVAC and district tournaments all four years, making the state tournament as a senior at 138 pounds.

“I only wrestled in high school because my brother Dale did,” Deaton said.

After high school, Deaton got his officiating license in 1966.

He has refereed three NAIA national championships, the NCAA Division 2 Regional Tournament, eight Ohio State championships, 15 West Virginia state tournaments, 33 OVAC championships and three National AAU championships.

In 1975, he started the Ohio Valley Wrestling Club, operated out of his garage. The club won the High School Division of the AAU Zone National in Indianapolis twice.

For his commitment and dedication to the sport, Deaton has garnered a myriad of accolades, including the 1992 OVAC Mr. Mat Award, the 1994 Charter Distinguished Member of the Ohio Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame, the 1997 WV Official of the Year, Martins Ferry High School Wrestling Hall of Fame and the 2004 Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame.

In 2009 the OVAC named its official of the year award the “Larry Deaton OVAC Official of the Year” award.

“Larry has truly shown a lifetime commitment to the sport of wrestling through his time effort and dedication to the wrestlers of the Ohio Valley.

Even though Larry retired several years ago from the officials ranks he maintains his credentials and always makes himself available for anyone in need,” said OVAC Tournament Director Dr. Dan Doyle said. “He always volunteers to make himself available to work in any capacity for our OVAC “Ron Mauck” Wrestling Championships, which is greatly appreciated.”

Those thoughts are echoed by Ron Mauck, who the OVAC Tournament is named in honor of.

“I consider Larry a silent giant. His deeds tell a lot of what he has done. He is very quiet but a very strong person in doing what is right,” Mauck said. “All through the years, he has always been there for the kids, the coaches and the officials. He has done so many things no one knows about to promote wrestling in so many schools.

“You cannot say enough of what he has done,” Mauck added. “He is deserving of all the honors coming his way. He has done so much.”

Deaton worked for Weirton Steel for more than 37 years and now in his 15th year as an electrician for the City of Martins Ferry. He is also president of the board of trustees for the Martins Ferry Park District.

He and his wife Sylvia have been married 52 years. They have two children, Terri and Bill.

“Wrestling has been a very big part of my life and has been very good to me,” Deaton said.

It goes without saying that Larry Deaton has been great to the sport of wrestling.

WLU LANDS TINGLE

RIDGEWOOD HIGH star guard Audrey Tingle will continue her basketball and academic careers at West Liberty University.

Tingle led the Lady Generals to the regional finals last winter. She earned all-district and all-Ohio honors.

She selected West Liberty over Charleston. Here mom, Jana Isaly Tingle, is a former River High hoop standout.

BUBBA’S BITS

STARTING THIS basketball season in Ohio’s Eastern District, all sectional tournament games will be held on the higher seed’s homecourt. Neutral sites will be utilized starting with the district tournaments.

GARY CHUMNEY is the new head boys’ basketball coach at Buckeye Trail. The 1981 Trail grad served as the JV coach last year for the Warriors. Prior to that, he was the Lady Warriors’ JV coach for 10 seasons. Chumney is employed by the U.S. Postal service. He will be assisted by Nicole Stevens and Gregg Strasser.

THE QUESTION with the Cleveland Browns this year is: Will they have more wins or more starting quarterbacks?

KUDOS TO Bridgeport Village Council for naming a street in honor of Bulldogs’ hoop coaching great Frank Baxter.

SOMETIMES TAKING a physical beating can still feel pretty good. Case in point: Kent State got drubbed by Alabama, 48-0, Saturday. In the process, the Golden Flashes received $1.5 million from the Tide.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES rookie QB Carson Wentz is the talk of the NFL after beating the Browns and Bears. He will receive his first acid test today when he faces a real defense — that being the Steelers.

THE WHEELING JESUIT rugby team is quietly enjoying a successful campaign. The Cardinals downed Iona University, 48-19, Friday night. Coach Tommy Duffy’s Redbirds are now 4-1.